Is the brand new Elden Ring DLC, Shadow of the Erdtree, too tough? Opinions are combined, however fortuitously, there are lots of choices to make the DLC extra doable should you’re struggling. One in every of them that is notably beloved by the group proper now is likely one of the new weapons launched in mentioned DLC: thrusting shields.
The Elden Ring group has reached a consensus: these shields are good. Actual good. There are dozens of threads on the Elden Ring subreddit praising them over the previous couple of weeks, with one thread specifically capturing to the highest of the subreddit in latest days with the next topic: “New Thrusting shields are the strongest weapons in all the sport and it isn’t even shut. NG+ DLC was completely obliterated. Thrusting shields might be enchanted with any affinity/injury kind that makes them extraordinarily versatile. And it is simply a lot enjoyable to slap the grace out of each single boss!”
Based mostly on all of the upvotes and feedback, the group agrees. Some individuals are even suggesting the shields are too good, and that they are bugged, although different gamers insist their excellence is meant conduct.
In case you’re not conversant in thrusting shields, this new weapon kind was added within the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC together with different weapons like fragrance bottles, hand-to-hand arts, and throwing blades. Sadly, there are solely two of those shields in all the sport: the Dueling Defend and the Carian Thrusting Defend. These shields enable gamers to each assault and defend directly, and two-handed thrusting protect builds are particularly highly effective, permitting gamers to carry out lunging stabs that deal main injury, all whereas nonetheless guarding from enemy assaults. And once you throw sure talisman or flask advantages on high of that (such because the Two-Handed Sword Talisman or the Deflecting Hardtear), the construct turns into much more highly effective.
Thrusting shields are so good, they enabled one participant to beat Messmer…utilizing a saxophone as a controller.
WE DOOTED HIM
In the end: after solely half-hour of making an attempt, I defeated Messmer the Impaler utilizing an electrical saxophone as a controller.
No summons. Simply doots and the Carian Thrusting Defend.
This DLC is a masterpiece. pic.twitter.com/dX42XFYDRD
— Dr. Doot 🎷 (@DrDecomposing) June 28, 2024
No matter how you are feeling concerning the thrusting protect construct, it was inevitable that with time and follow folks would discover ridiculous new construct combos in Shadow of the Erdtree that enable for “cheese” boss strats. Brutal because the enlargement might be, tips like this can assist gamers push by its most difficult fights. That, or simply discovering sufficient Scadutree Fragments like everybody retains telling them to.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Obtained a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.
